Monday, May 23, 2016

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea: "Rock music is a dead form"

Flea recalled his days during the band's 90s heyday: "I just remember being so excited that we were playing with Pearl Jam and with Smashing Pumpkins, because it was just an exciting time for rock music. A lot of times, especially recently, I look at rock music as kind of a dead form in a lot of ways. Nothing to take away from us and [Pearl Jam], because obviously I believe we’re relevant bands that come with a real energy."

He said that when he expressed his desire to make it in a rock band he was told he was "a fucking lunatic" who would "never get a decent job", adding: "I was like ‘fuck it, I don’t care, this is what I want to do, this means everything to me, I found a home.’ I’ve been a weird, neurotic, loner kid all my life, I was always the kid you called fag in high school, punk rock gave me a home."

He added: "Nowadays, you decide you want to be in a rock band [and] it’s like, ‘Oh great, let’s get you an image consultant, and a lawyer, and a manager, and let’s see what we can do here. It’s a great money-making opportunity for you, junior.’"